Unique Clay Pottery Ideas

Creating pottery is unique almost by default. Each artist's hands are different and this subtle difference allows them to shape the clay in new and exciting ways. Clay pottery gifts are special to begin with, but they are even more special when they are handmade. You can create a variety of unique pottery projects using a few simple techniques.

Using Leaves

You can use actual leaves to create unique accents on your clay pottery pieces. Try to find some live leaves with interesting textures in them. You can then coat these leaves with a thin coat of silver clay paste. Let this dry and coat each leaf again several more times with the paste. These can then be fired with any of your low-temperature clay pots.

You can join the leaf to the pot or dish using slip which is a mixture of clay paste and water. You can also simply press a live leaf into your clay pottery to leave behind an interesting texture. This isn't quite as beautiful but it is much simpler.

Unique Pinch Pots

Pinch pots are very easy to make and because of this you can take chances with them. You can create a pinch pot by simply pinching and forming a ball of clay into a small cup shape. You can create unique texture for this by rolling the outside of the pinch pot in various objects. For instance, you can fill a tray with a collection of small and smooth river stones. Simply roll the pot around the stones to create a unique texture. You can also roll the pinch pot around in the grass of your yard to create an interesting effect. It is best if you roll the pot while it is still very supple in your hands. Be sure to remove any debris that sticks to the pinch pot before firing.

Face on a Mug

For a truly original clay pottery idea, you can sculpt a face on a mug that you have created. This will work best with a mug that has been made using the coil method. This method uses long rolled cylinders of clay that are twisted on top of each other to form pottery. The outside and inside are then smoothed.

You can add the face by using two small lumps of clay. Score the back of the clay by rubbing with a fork and secure the lumps to the mug with a bit of slip. The upper lump will be the forehead, nose and upper mouth area. The lower lump will be formed into the lower jaw. You can create the nose by pinching up the clay. Pressing your fingers into the clay just above the nose can make eye sockets. Eyeballs can be made with small balls of clay pressed into the sockets. Be sure to score the back of the eye ball and add some slip before you secure it.